Swift To Battle No.72 Fighter Squadron - Raf In A...

Formed on June 28, 1917, at , No. 72 Squadron began as a unit of the Royal Flying Corps. By 1918, it was deployed to Basra , Iraq, where it operated in three separate flights to support the British Army’s missions across Mesopotamia. During this period, it flew a diverse range of aircraft, including: Airco DH.4 Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Bristol M.1c Spad S.7

During WWII, No. 72 Squadron saw action in several major theaters: Swift to Battle No.72 Fighter Squadron RAF in A...

In 1961, the squadron's identity shifted dramatically when it re-formed at as a helicopter unit. For nearly four decades, it provided vital transport and security support using: Bristol Belvedere (until 1964) Westland Wessex (1964–2002) Westland Puma (from 1997) Formed on June 28, 1917, at , No

Following the war, the squadron entered the jet age, re-forming in 1947 with fighters. Over the next decade, it operated advanced jet fighters such as the Gloster Meteor and the Gloster Javelin all-weather fighter. During this period, it flew a diverse range

The motto perfectly encapsulates the long and storied history of No. 72 (Fighter) Squadron of the Royal Air Force. From its origins in the First World War to its current role training the next generation of fast-jet pilots, the squadron has been at the forefront of British military aviation for over a century. Early Origins: WWI and the Middle East